Duplicating machine



Dec. 7, 1943. M. P. NEAL DUPLICATING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7, 1943. Mi. NEAL i 'l 2,335,954

s., DUPLICATING' MACHINE' Original Filied Sept. 16, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 7, 1943. r M. P. NEAL 2,335,954

DUPLICATING MACHINE original Filed sept. 16, 1958 5 sheets-sheet 4 Dec. 7, 1943. vM. P. NEAL 2,335,954

. DUPLICATING MACHINE original Filed sept. 1e, 1938 s sheets-sheet s mvEm-on -Zorrzs P JVeaZ.

Patented Dec. 7,- 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rDUPLICATING MACHINE Morris P. Neal, Quincy, Ill., assig-norA to Ditto, In-

corporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of West Virginia Original application September 16, 1938, Serial No. 230,172. Divided and this application January 2, 1942, Serial No. 425,409

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvementsy in duplicating machines, being illustrated in connection with a machine of the type employing a master sheet in the form of a thin sheet of aluminum or a sheet of parchment paper, or the like, upon which water or other suitable ink repellent is adapted to spread and adhere when applied thereto, such master sheet being inked before each impression so as to make a good copy upon a copy sheet brought into effective pressure relationship thereto. My present improvements are not to be restricted to use in connection with this type of machine, however, so far as they are applicable for use vwith other types of duplicating machines.

My invention relates further to improved means for feeding water or other ink repellent as the drum rotates, together with improved means for applying ink on the master sheet. Improved means is also provided for moving the repellent applying means and the vinking means successively into and out of operative position and for applying pressure to the copy sheets through a platen roller which likewise may be moved into and out of operative position under the control of the operator.

The throw-oil means for the feeding, inking and dampening mechanisms comprises a cam member which is adapted by movement to successive selected positions to throw the impression roller rst out of operative position, to throw the inking mechanism next out of operation, and to throw .the moistening or repellent applying mechanism lastly out of operation, the arrangement being such that upon a reverse stroke of the cam member the mechanisms are again thrown into operation in the reverse order. -The construction is such that the machine is adapted to be run for a period of time at each of the successive positions of the cam member as the machine is being put into operation so as to insure that the moistening and inking shall be effective before the machine is brought fully into operation 'for duplicating purposes. The improved construction preferably includes also a latch or detent by which the cam member may be easily brought into the successive operative positions and releasably held at the desired position for the preliminary preparation of the machine for complete operation.

It is still another object of the invention to improve duplicating machines of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The prebeen accomplished are illustrated in the laccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a duplicating machine embodying the improved construction, and with all of the oper- -ative mechanisms in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to a portion of Fig. 1 but with certain of the parts omitted or partially broken away, and with some parts in changed position, with the impression roller, the inking mechanism, and the repellent applying mechanism all thrown out of operation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the repellent applying mechanism thrown into operation;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but with both the repellent applying mechanism and the inking mechanism thrown into operation;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the preferred form of means for holding the control cam member releasably in its selected set position, being substantially a section taken at the line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 6--6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a fragmentary pordicated by the same reference characters, the

framework of the machine comprises standards 2l at opposite sidesof the machine connected together by a sheet metal crossbar portion 22. The standards 2| are reinforced by heavy side plate members 234, and the framework is mounted on rubber blocks 24. The standards 2| support a heavy shaft 25-rotatably in position, said shaft having a drum 26 mounted thereon so as to be rotatable thereby. The drum 26 is provided with a plurality of grippers 21 of any approved type for releasably attaching a master' sheet 28 to the drum. The master sheet is preferably formed from a-thin sheet of aluminum or other suitable material adapted to cause Water or other ink repellent to spread over the surface of the sheet when applied thereto.

An impression roller 29 is rotatably mounted 1n positionso as to beV movable into and out of ment shown the impression roller 2S is rotatably ferred means by which the several objects have mounted in position by means of a shaft 30 which is journaled in the end portions of levers 3| which in turn are xedly mounted on a shaft 32 rotatably mounted between the standards 2|. Upon the shaft 32, there' is xedly mounted an arm 33, upon the forward end of which. (at the right in Fig. 1) a roller 34 is rotatably mounted for controlling the position of thev roller 29 as hereinafter described. A coiled spring 35 is connected at one end with the arm 33 and at its opposite end with a suitable portion of the framework, serving normally to draw the arm 33 downwardly for causing the impression roller 29 to press against the drum. Adjacent to the drum at the left as shown in Fig. 1, I have mounted a roller 36 rotatably in position by means of ashaft 31 journaled in the arms of a swingingly mounted bracket 38, a spring 39 being provided for pressing the roller normally into operative engagement with the master sheet 28 on the drum. Above the roller 36, there is a transversely extending pipe 48 having a, series of openings in its bottom wall portion for delivering water or other suitable ink repellent on the face of the roller. A trough 4| of any suitable type is provided on the bracket 38 underneath the roller 36 for carrying away any .excess Water or other ink repellent not taken up by the master sheet 28. -In the preferred arrangement, the roller 36 comprises a facing portion of felt or other suitable absorbent material mounted in position about a base portion of rubber.

Means is provided for delivering water or other suitable ink repellent to the pipe 48 for application to the face of the roller 36. This means comprises a pump 42 mounted within a receptacle 43 adapted to hold a supply of water or other liquid, the pump being arranged so as to deliver a stream of liquid from the receptacle through a tube 44 connected with the pipe 48 upon downward movement of the plunger 45 of the pump, such downward movement of the plunger being effected through the medium of a spring 46. The upward stroke of the plunger against the laction of the spring 46 is effected through the medium of a lever 41 which is pivotally mounted upon one of the standards 2| by means of a bolt 48. The lever 41 in turn is actuated by a second lever 49 which is pivotally mounted upon said bolt 48 and which has a short arm 58 extending underneath the lever 41 with a turned end portion in position to engage the bottom face of said lever,41. 'Ihe lever 49 extends upwardly and forwardly from the bolt 48, having a roller rotatably mounted on its upper end in position to engage a cam 52 xedly mounted on the shaft 25 of the drum. 'Ihe arrangement is such that upon each revolution of the drum 26 the lever 49 is moved downwardly by the cam 52, serving to raise the lever 41 and the plunger 45. The lever 41 is provided with a handle portion 53 by which the lever can be manipulated for actuating the pump whenever such operation is desired.

Thelever 41 is also provided with a downwardly extending arm 54 carrying a rollar 55 on its lower end in position to engage a cam 56 for limiting the downward movement of the lever 41. The cam 56 is rotatably mounted in position by means of a shaft 51 by which the cam 66 may be moved to any desired adjusted position for controlling the effective length of the stroke of the -plunger 45 of the pump and controlling thus the amount of liquid delivered through the tube 44 and the pipe 48.

Means is also provided for applying ink upon the master sheet 28 as it is carried around by the drum. This means comprises a roller 58 journaled by means of a shaft 59 between arms 68 which are pivotally mounted at their ,forward ends by means of screws 6|. driven by means of a pinion 62 meshing with a gear 63 xedly mounted on the end of the drum. The arrangement is such that the inking roller 58 is driven continuously during the rotary movement of the drum.

Adjacent to the inking roller 58 so as to bear against said roller, there is an ink cutting roller 64 mounted between the .arms 68 by means of a shaft 65. At one end the shaft 65 is provided with a gear 66 which meshes with the gear 62 carried by the inking roller 58. At its opposite end portion, the shaft 65 is lprovided with a small drum 61 having a cam groove 68 in its face (see ing the rotation of the roller, the gear 66 being of such size axially as to permit such movement without breaking its connection with the gear 62. '.Iohe bracket 18 is mounted upon the adjacent arm Adjacent to the ink cutting roller 64, I have provided a vibrating roller 1| rotatably mounted upon the upper ends of pivotally mounted arms 12 by means of a shaft 13. As is best shown in Fig. 3, springs 14 are provided in connection with 15 mounted on the shaft 65 of the roller 64, such cam 15 cooperating with the roller 16 on the shaft 13 of the roller 1| for effecting the desired movement of the roller 1| toward the right.

Adjacent to the vibratory roller 1|, I have provided an ink fountain 11 of any approved type, with' a roller 18 forming the inner side face of the fountain, such roller 18 being mounted by means of a shaft 19 `iournaled in the arms 68. At one end, the shaft 19 is provided with a ratchet 88 fixedly mounted thereon and arranged to be actuated by a pawl 8| pivotally mounted on the adjacent arm 12 by which the roller 1| is supported movably in position. The arrangement is such that when the arm 12 is swung toward the right in Fig. 3 the pawl slides under one or more teeth of the ratchet 88 and that as the arm swings again toward the left in said gure the fountain roller 18 is given a slight rotary movement in clockwise direction in said Fig. 3.

The means for throwing the repellent applying roller 36, the inking roller 58, and the impression roller 29 into and out of operative position with respect to the drum 26 and th'e master sheet 28 carried thereby comprises a cam member 82 rotatably mounted upon the shaft 25 of the drum at one side of the machine. This cam member 82 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 83 which terminates at its lower end 'in a toothed segmental portion 84 which meshes with a gear 85 mounted by means of a transverse shaft 86 journaled in the standards 2|. At the end opposite that at which th'e gear 85 is mounted, the shaft 86 is provided with a head member 81 having a plurality of notches 88 therein with one or another of which a spring v detent 89 engages, the arrangement being such that the detent 89 holds the cam member 82 revleasably against rotary movement about the shaft 25 of the drum. Upon its outer end, the

'I'he roller 58 is f shaft 86 is provided with a setting head 99 in the form of a knob by which the shaft 86 can be turned for giving the cam member 82 a rotary f l3 and 4, thecam bar 9| holds th'e roller 34 in raised position for holding the impression roller 29 out of engagement with the drum. When lhowever the c-am bar 9| has been moved to the limit of its motion toward the right in Fig. 1, the roller 34 rides down the top face of the cam bar so as to permit the spring 35 to move the ber of revolutions with the parts in this position so as to insure that -the design upon the master sheet 28 is thoroughly inked before the commencement of effective operation of the machine. The cam 82 is thenl moved still further in counterclockwise direction to the position as shown in Fig. 1 so as to permit the impression roller 29 to move to operative position.

The arrangement of the notched head 81 and the spring detent 89 is such that the detent serves effectively for holding the cam 82 releasably in each of the successive-positions of the I cam as above described, the head 81 being provided with four notches 88 in such relation to impression roller 29 into operative relationwith the drum 26.

As is best shown in-Fig. 1, the cam member 82 is provided with high' portions 92 and 93 separated by a low portion 94. The high portion 92 is arranged so as to engage a roller 95 carried by the shaft 31 of the roller 36 when the cam member 82 is moved to the limit of its motion in clockwise direction in Fig. 1 so as to move th'e repel- `lent applying roller 36 toward the left.into the position as shown in Fig. 2 out of pressure relationship with the drum 26. The high portion 93 is arranged so as to engage a roller 96 carried by the shaft 59 of th'e inking roller 58 for forcing such inking roller upwardly-out of operative' relation to the drum 26, also as shown in Fig. 2.

With the parts in the positions as shown in Fig. 1, the impression roller 29, the inking roller 58, and the repellent applying roller 36 are all in operative relationship to the drum 26 ready for a duplicating operation, the cam 82 being under 4ship with the drum (see'Fig.l 3). When the cam each other as to insure that the detent 89 will bein operatiVeengagement with one of such notches in each of the several selective positions f the cam.

In the machine as illustrated, means is shown 4for feeding copy sheets one at a time into position between the drum and the impression roller. This sheet feeding means however forms in and of itself no part of the present invention, and

.the arrangement will accordingly be described very briefly. This paper feeding means as shown comprises a table or tray 91 adapted to support a pile of copi/,sheets 98 in position a shortdistance to the rear of a pair of forwarding rollers 99 and |00. The forwarding roller 99 is rotatably mounted upon a xed axis, while the roller |99 is movable vertically with respect to the roller 89. The mounting means for the roller |00 comprises arms |9| pivotally mounted upon the standards 2|, such arms |0| having backward extensions |02 towhich coiled springs |03 are adjustably connected. The arrangement is such l that the lower forwarding roller |00 is pressed 82 then is moved still farther in clockwise direci tion into the position as shown in Fig. 2, the repellent applying roller 36 also is moved out of operative relationship with' the drum.

With the parts in the arrangement as shown in Fig. 2, following a period of non-use of the machine, the cam 82 is first moved a short distance in counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. v2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, such movement being effected by pressure applied upon the knob 90.. Such slight movement of the cam 82 brings the parts to the arrangement as shown in Fig. 3, with the roller 36 in operative position while the rollers 29 and 58 are held out of operative position. The drum 26 is given a number of revolutions under these conditions so as to be sure that the face of the master sheet 28 is thoroughly moistened by the ink repellent delivered through' the pipe 49. The cam 82 is then given a slight additional movement in counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown'in Fig. 4 -so as to bring the inking roller 58 also into operative position. The drum 26 is given a num.-

yieldingly at all times against the roller 99.

lFor feeding sheets from thepile 98, a forwarding roller |94 is provided rotatably mounted upon an arm |05 above the table 91, means being provided for driving the roller |94 from a cross shaft |96 about which the arm |05'` is pivotally mounted. The shaft |06 is driven` in the direction for giving the roller |94 rotary movement in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1 by means of a pinion |91 meshing with a toothed segment |08 pivotally mounted at one side of the table 91. The segment |98 is pivotally connected at its lower end with a link |99 which in turn is pivotally conneoted with the lower end of an arm ||0 provided at its upper end with a roller |i| in position to engage the cam 52. A coiled spring I2 connected with the link |99 normally holds the roller pressed against 'the cam 52. The arrangement is such that upon each revolution of the drum 26 the roller |04 is driven'by the segment 08 for forwarding a copy sheetl from the pile 98 to the forwarding rollers 99 and |09.I The connections between the pinion |91 and the roller.

- ||5 carried by the roller 9,9.,K The gear ||3 is driven intermittently by power from the drum through the medium of a ratchet wheel ||6 fixedly connected with the gear and a pawl ||1 pivotally mountedY on the drum in position for releasable engagement with the ratchet wheel. The pawl ||1 is eifective for driving the forwarding rollers through the gear ||3 except when the pawl is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel by a cam ||8 at a predetermined point in the rotation of the drum, such cam serving to move the pawl out of operative position against the action of a spring ||9 for only a very short period at each revolution of the drum. In the arrangement shown, the pawl ||1 is thrown out of engagement with one tooth of the ratchet wheel I I6 and almost immediately thereafter is brought into engagement with the next adjacent tooth of the ratchet wheel. For insuring that the gear I I3 and the connected forwarding rollers 99 and |00 shall be held stationary when the gear is disconnected from the drum, a latching pawl is provided, pivotally mounted in position to engage one or another of a series of pins |2| carried by the gear ||3. A cam |22 carried around with the drum serves to control the position of the pawl |20 by engaging a roller earlier application, it is believed to be unnecessary to describe the same further herein.

With respect to the position of the repellent applying roller 3B at the left of the drum as shown in Fig. 1, it will be understood that this roller and its cooperating mechanism might be shifted to any other desired position relative to the drum, if such changed position should be deemed advisable. It is to be understood that if this moistening mechanism should be shifted, a corresponding change would be made in the position of the high portion 92 of the cam member 82. Whether the roller 36 is kept at the left of the drum as shown in the drawings or is transferred to the opposite side of the drum, as mightwell be done, the arrangement is still to be kept such that upon the rotation of the knob 90 for shifting the position of the cam 82 the inking mechanism is always thrown out of operation before the repellent applying means is thrown out of operation, and is in turn thrown again into operation upon the reverse rotation. of the knob after the completion of the movement of the parts forthrowing the repellent applying means into operative position.

As will be appreciated from a study of the construction above described, it would be readily possible to transform this machine into a liquid process machine if desired. With the inking except so' far as the claims may be so limited. Changes may well be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing fro the spirit of the invention. v

I claim: v

1. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a roller rotatably mounted inposition so as to be movable toward and from the drum, yield- .f ing means normally holding the roller in pressure relationship to the drum so as to press the master sheet against the drum, means for feeding an ink repellent to the face of the master sheet as the drum rotates, means for applying ink on the master sheet as the drum rotates, a cam member rotatably mounted adjacent to said drum adapted upon rotary movement to successive positions to throw said repellent feeding means and said inking means one at a time out of operation and to move said roller out of pressure relationship to the drum, a head movably mounted in position adjacent to said cam member and connected with the cam member so as to move therewith, and means for releasably holding said head in a plurality of different positions for controlling the operation of said repellent feeding means and said inking meansand for controlling the position of said roller.

2. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a. roller rotatably mounted in position so as to be movable toward and from the drum, yielding means normally holding the roller in pressure relationship to the drum so as to press the master sheet against the drum, means for feeding an ink repellent to the face of the master sheet as the drum rotates, means for applying ink on the master sheet as the drum rotates, a cam member rotatably mounted adjacent to said drum adapted upon rotary movement to successive positions to throw said repellent feeding means and said inking means one at a time out of operation and to move said roller out of pressure relationship to the drum, a head having a plurality of head and the cam member in a plurality of difmechanism and the bracket 38 and its connected t parts silenced or removed from the machine, all that would be required for effecting the suggested transformation would be the provision of a suitable moistening mechanism of any approved well-known type for applying a film of solvent to the face of the forwarding roller 99, the pump ,ment of parts as shown in the drawings and as above described, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the construction shown ferent positions so as to control the operation of said repellent feeding means and said inking means and tc control the position of said roller.

3.- In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a vroller rotatably mounted in position so as to be movable `toward and from the drum, yielding means normally holding the roller in pressure relationship to the drum so as to press the master sheet against the drum, means for feeding an ink repellent to the face of the master sheet as the drum rotates, means for applying ink on the master sheet as the drum rotates, a cam member rotatably mounted adjacent to said drum adapted upon rotary movement to successive positions to throw said repellent feeding means and said inking means one at a time out of operation and to move said roller out of pressure relationship to the drum, an arm in fixed position on said cam member and extending radially beyond the drum, -a segmental gear portion carried by said arm, a gear adapted by 'engagement with said segmental gear portion to give said cam member an operative stroke, a notched head adapted to rotate with said gear, and a spring detent adapted by engagement with said notches to hold the gear and the cam member releasably against rotary movement.

4. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a roller rotatably mounted in position so as to be movable toT ard and from the drum, yielding means normally holding the roller in pressure relationship to the drum so as to press the master sheet against the drum, means for feeding anink repellent to the face of the master sheet as the drum rotates, means for applying ink on the master sheet as the drum-rotates a cam member rotatable about the axis on which the drum is mounted adapted upon rotary movement to successive operative positions to throwv said repellent feeding means and said inking means one at a time out of operation and to move said roller out of pressure relationship to said drum, an arm in fixed position on said cam member and extending radially beyond the drum, a segmental gear portion carried by said arm in concentric position about said axis, a gear adapted by engagement with said segmental gear por--l tion to give said cam member an operative stroke, a notched head adapted to rotate with said gear, and a spring detent adapted by engagement with said notches to hold the gear andthe cam member releasably against rotary movement.

5. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a shaft rotatably mounted longitudinally of the drum a short distance therefrom, arms extending from said shaft, a roller rotatably mounted between said arms so as to; be movable into and out of pressure relationship to the drum, yielding means normally holding the roller pressed against the drum so as to press the mas.

ter sheet against the face of the drum, an arm mounted to swing about the axis on which said drum is rotatable, a cam bar mounted on said arm in substantially circumferential position with respect to the drum, bearing means connected with said shaft and roller adapted by engagement with said cam bar to move said roller outwardly away from the drum against the action of said yielding means when said arm is given a swinging movement, means for moving said arm in the direction for operative engagement of said cam bar with said bearing means, and means for holding said arm releasably in a plurality of different positions to which it may be swung. f

,6. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a shaft rotatably mounted longitudinally f the drum a short distance therefrom, arms extending from said? shaft, a roller rotatably mounted between said arms so as to be movable yielding means normally holding the roller pressed against the drum so as to press the master sheet yielding means when said arm is given a swinging movement, a segmental gear portion on said arm in concentric position about said axis, a gear adapted by engagement with said segmental gear portion to give said arm an operative movement, a notched head adapted to rotate with said gear, and a spring detent adapted by engagement with said notches to hold the gear and the cam member releasably aganist rotary movement.

7. In a kduplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for rotating the drum, a shaft rotatably mounted longitudinally of the drum a short distance therefrom, arms extending from said shaft, a roller rotatably mounted between said arms so as to be movable into v and out of pressure relationship to the drum, yielding means normally holding the rollr pressed against the drum so as to press themaster sheet against the face of the drum, an arm mounted to swing about the axis on which said drum is rotatable, a cam .bar mounted on said arm in substantially circumferential position with respect to against the face of thevdrum, an arm mounted to swing about the axis yon which said drum is rotatable, 'a cam bar mounted on said arm in substantially circumferential position with respectto the drum, bearing means connected with said shaft and roller adapted by engagement with said cam bar to move said roller outwardly away from the drum against the action of said 7| the drum, bearing means connected with said shaft and roller adapted by engagement with said cam bar to move said roller outwardly away from the drum against the action of said yielding means when said arm is given a swinging movement, said cam bar being so mounted and shaped as to cause an operative camming action at about the beginning of an operative stroke of said arm and so arranged that upon continued movement of the arm in the same direction vthrough a considerable angle the bar maintains the roller in substantially evenly spaced relationship to the drum, means for moving said arm in the direction for operative engagement of said cam bar with said bearing means, and means for holding said arm releasably in a plurality of different positions to which it may be swung.

8. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum, means for removably mounting a master sheet on said drum, means for. rotating the drum, a shaft rotatably mounted longitudinally of the drum a short distance therefrom, arms extending from said shaft, a roller rotatably mounted between said arms so as to be movable into and out of pressure relationship to the drum, yielding means normally holding the roller pressed against the drum so as to press the master sheet against the face/ofthe drum, an arm mounted to swing about the axis on whichgsai--f drum is rotatable, a cam bar mountedgon saidv arm' in substantially circumferential position with respect to the drum, bearing means connected with said shaft and roller adapted by engagement with said cam bar to move said roller outwardly away from the drum against the action of saidyielding means when said arm is given a swinging movement, said cam bar being so mounted and shaped as to cause an operative camming action at about the beginning of an operative stroke of saidfarmansoarranged that upon continued movement of the arm in thesame directio'l`" through 

